Chapter 6

Ye Liuxi glanced for a moment and gestured towards the direction between the beacon tower and the gasoline barrel sign, saying: "Here."

Upon entering the room, I glanced around with my eyes rolling: "Dong Ge, I just arrived, your place is spacious, could you spare me a sofa to sleep on? It would save me the trouble of looking for a place."

It's nothing, everyone is still not familiar with each other. When working together, there will always be some friction at first. I'm not someone who holds grudges, but Changdong...

At around two or three in the morning, Chang Dong got up during the night, washed his hands, and was originally going to return to his room. However, unexpectedly, he was compelled by some unseen force to walk over to the curtains and slightly lift them.

He showed the completed orientation map to Ye Liuxi

Chang Dong made a sound of acknowledgment

After receiving the call, Chang Dong hurriedly went downstairs

The general shape of Longcheng is that of a slanted triangle. Many people have visited, but they all follow the paths laid out by their predecessors, entering and exiting quickly, essentially along this line that runs diagonally from the southeast to the northwest

Ye Liuxi raised her chin slightly, a smile on her face that carried a hint of feigned surprise: "I thought you were an honest person, but it turns out you also engage in shady activities... What have you uncovered?"

As for my friend, the goods did not come through legitimate means, so it is not advisable to report it to the police. I made it clear that whoever helps him retrieve it will not receive less than 100,000 in transportation fees. Speaking of which, I must thank you; if it weren't for you checking the surveillance at Qiliuhai, I would not have discovered that this matter is related to her

He recognized it so straightforwardly that Ye Liuxi found it difficult to take advantage of the situation. After a brief pause, the corners of his lips curved upward, and he unexpectedly smiled.

In the parking lot, the parking space for Ye Liuxi is already vacant

Ye Liuxi found it amusing: "Can't you explain why?"

Chang Dong took out the newly purchased city map and found Desheng Street in the "Recommended Destinations" section, surprisingly marked as a four-star destination, described as "the most popular food and culture street" and "a must-visit"

Fei Tang felt a surge of joy in his heart, but he also knew there was more to come

Necessary

On this line, there are three reference points. Here is a beacon tower from the Han Dynasty, with only a soil platform remaining; here are two gasoline barrels filled with sand, the barrel bodies painted with a directional marker, which were set up as a signpost by an archaeological team in the 1970s; here is a hundred-meter trench, filled with the skeletons of camels—at which point did you deviate from the safe route?

Chang Dong said: "The one you saw yesterday is called Fat Tang. He will accompany us on the route—I asked him to rent a four-wheel drive off-road vehicle, so that we have an additional vehicle for supplies, which is more secure"

Fei Tang was taken aback by his question, but since he had already been seen through, there was no point in hiding anything: "Since we came out, no one wants to leave empty-handed, you understand, Dong Ge."

Ye Liuxi unexpectedly asked: "Why meet at the bridge? Can't we gather in the town and leave together?"

From a distance of several meters, one could see Fat Tang squatting by the half-open car door with his hands on his head and a luggage bag at his feet, resembling a labor reform prisoner. Ye Liuxi was leaning against the car body, already growing quite impatient from waiting.

When this meal was almost finished, Ye Liuxi finally found a moment of leisure and came over to him while chewing on a baked pancake: "Looking for me?"

He admires her a bit; every time he sees her, she has managed to change jobs, and each job is completely unrelated to the others—he would even believe it if someone said she is the essence of all 360 professions

Fei Tang saw Chang Dong and felt as if he were seeing a family member. Hoarsely, he shouted, "Dong Ge, you quickly tell her that I am with you, that it was you who asked me to overturn her vehicle! You tell her!"

Ye Liuxi is unexpectedly not present, and the stall has been taken over by an elderly couple. When Chang Dong inquired, the old man replied: "She went to work elsewhere today"

It is just a piece of soft leather, folded in the glove compartment. I wondered what it was, and when I shook it open, I saw it had two holes and a mouth carved on it, which startled me...

A few days ago, I checked the surveillance video due to my connection with Feitang, and unexpectedly, the favor I owed is to be repaid so soon

Cannot

This route sees numerous convoys passing through each year; if Kong Yang's body were nearby, it would have been discovered long ago. Therefore, your visit must have taken you deep into the heart of Longcheng.

He interspersed a curve in the central position of the directional map

Chang Dong stopped about ten feet in front of Ye Liuxi, then nodded: "Yes, he is with me."

Chang Dong said: "Upon arrival, before even finding a hotel, I went to search through people's cars, clearly distinguishing between primary and secondary matters"

Chang Dong sat down at a small empty table, ordered some barbecue, and added a bottle of beer. When his order was sent over, Ye Liuxi glanced up in this direction. Chang Dong nodded at her, as a form of greeting

Fat Tang's heart was pounding: "Can you take me along? Don't stare at her, I feel uneasy in my heart..."

Perhaps it should be reminded to Fat Tang that some people should be passed by without a sideways glance, and it is best to avoid provoking them

Ye Liuxi shrugged: "So those who entered Longcheng did not discover your Kongyang. If the road were easy to traverse, they would have found it long ago"

There is a plant in the desert called the red willow, which is used for sand fixation. After it blocks the sand, it appears at first glance like a grave mound, growing to a modest height of only about one meter on each side. However, few people know that its root system is robust and dense, capable of extending over 30 meters underground

Ye Liuxi cast him a sidelong glance and said, "Do you suspect me?"

Chang Dong pondered as he lowered the curtain

When seeking help from others, Fei Tang responded positively: "It's a complete mess, everything is there. A stove, pots, basins, and even a melon. This woman sleeps in the car, the bed is a piece of hanging board that can be lowered, and under the bed, there is a pair of boxing gloves. Oh right, there is also a piece of leather face..."

Whether treasures can be found in Ye Liuxi's car remains an unknown factor, ultimately. With a heart directed towards wealth, one must be prepared for both possibilities.

... ...

Fei Tang thought without hesitation: "Dong Ge, feel free to speak up. I understand the rules; either contribute money or put in effort, there will be no free rides."

Furthermore, the area of Longcheng is larger than half of Shanghai, and its dimensions are quite similar in all directions. It is easy for a person to lose their sense of direction within it. On what basis can you claim that you can accurately locate the center of the city?

Chang Dong apologized to Ye Liuxi: "I am sorry, I did not mean anything else, I just wanted to find out who you really are. I went too far, and I assure you it will not happen again"

The tone was unfriendly, and Fei Tang's heart skipped a beat. He had heard of Chang Dong's demeanor to some extent; the term "sand wolf" was certainly not used to describe someone who was amiable and approachable

While speaking, he casually picked up the spice jar containing chili powder to add some seasoning to the baked pancake

I will tell you when we meet tomorrow

One should still have dreams; what if they come true?

Brother Dong, you also know that my business has not been good these past two years, and I have incurred debts while running the store... Can we not delay my brother's opportunity to make a fortune?

Her intention was implicit, each word pronounced with emphasis: "There must not be a second time, I am not someone who is very aware of the law"

On the evening of the second day, Chang Dong retrieved the car and deliberately took a detour from the dirt road, intending to inform Ye Liuxi that he was ready to set off.

While howling, she strained to give him a sidelong glance

As for Ye Liuxi, she is very conspicuous—she is grilling skewers

Chang Dong frowned: "There are many salt crusts in this area, and the roads are difficult to traverse"

His mind was racing, contemplating how to express himself comprehensively

Ye Liuxi said: "Very good"

The Changdong route largely overlaps with the ancient Silk Road. This route is either a no-man's land or a desert—let alone those buried ancient city ruins. For thousands of years, how many merchant caravans have been buried in the desert due to sandstorms, along with their valuable goods? Just one item from that time, if placed in today's context, would not be a small sum. If he could find one or two items...

We will enter from Dunhuang, and if the journey goes smoothly, it is expected to take four days. I will arrange for the support team before we enter the Gobi Desert, and I will contact them at designated points every day to report our GPS location. If we lose contact for 48 hours, rescue operations will commence.

His so-called "preparation" consists of making a list that specifies the items to bring and the support to contact—however, that town is too small to even buy a satellite phone, so he plans to purchase everything along the way. As for the heaviest consumables, he will load them onto the vehicle at the nearest supply point to the Gobi Desert.

The Qianjin Bridge is located more than 10 miles west of the town, the riverbed has long since dried up, leaving only a bridge behind

Fat Tang quickly nodded, pausing cautiously: "Dong Ge, I know your car has come out, are you planning to run to the Gobi? Is Ye Liuxi also going?"

Fei Tang followed closely behind Chang Dong, initially too afraid to speak. Later, estimating that Ye Liu Xi could not hear him, he began to curse under his breath, uttering all sorts of filthy words such as "damn it," "wet your north," and other indecent remarks.

Chang Dong decided to go out for a meal

Chang Dong took out the prepared list of items and drew a map on the back: "It is not that I doubt you, but at least give me a rough location so that I can plan the route in advance and avoid unnecessary detours"

The wording and sentence structure are strikingly similar to that of the Hui People Street version, possibly indicating that the editor has transitioned from there.

Actually, it is like this, Dong Ge, I will not hide it from you. This Ye Liuxi, she had stayed in Xi'an for a while before, right? Her methods are not proper, she took my friend's goods, the real goods.

Fei Tang's friends are all involved in antiques and collectibles. He claims that they are genuine items, which must be of considerable value

Ye Liuxi gave him the impression of a red willow; as long as it did not concern him, he did not wish to investigate her background, for he did not know what kind of enormous secret might be stirred up.

Chang Dong nodded, and with the pad of his finger, he scraped the edge of the sharpened knife to test its sharpness: "What did you find in her car?"

The last sentence was directed at Fei Tang, who was kicked to the ground. He did not dare to cry out in pain, using both hands and feet to crawl away a bit further, continuing to crouch down.

However, during these days, I need her assistance and do not wish for any complications to arise. Whether you are sourcing goods or settling accounts with her, please postpone the timing and do not delay my matters

Upon arrival, I discovered that it was a rather lively snack street, coinciding with mealtime. Numerous tables had been set up outdoors, and the most popular offerings were barbecue and small hot pots, with vendors pushing large barrels of apricot skin water weaving through the crowd

Chang Dong put away the list and placed the meal money under the seasoning jar: "Tomorrow at 4:30 AM, outside Qizhen, everyone will meet at the Qianjin Bridge head."

Chang Dong paused his actions and asked, "Is it a leather face?"

What work are you doing again

Chang Dong said: "Isn't there more to it than just this reason?"

I run the line, not bringing along idle people, not bringing along those who eat for free. What can you offer me if I were to bring you along

The fire in the barbecue grill is blazing, and those skewers—newly placed, needing to be turned, requiring oil to be brushed on, and needing seasoning—she surprisingly manages to handle them all without any confusion

He opened the box of tools, took out a chisel, and carefully sharpened it on the whetstone. After two years, it had become a habit; every evening, he felt uneasy if he did not carve something.

Chang Dong called Ye Liu Xi, and she answered quickly. It was very noisy on the other end; she was busy and replied, "I am on Desheng Street, come over if there's something, we can talk later if not," and then hung up.

Is 4:30 too early? Is it necessary to rush like this?

Ye Liuxi said: "Alright"

The goods were smoothly transported westward, the owner is offering a reward, and Fat Tang is seeking wealth. This matter indeed has nothing to do with oneself, Chang Dong nodded: "Alright"

This is not daydreaming; every year there are people who team up to venture into the desert hoping for luck. Although the ancient city of Loulan has established a cultural heritage protection station and the Xiaohe Cemetery has also been preserved, it does not prevent someone from striking it lucky and stumbling upon Loulan Ancient City No. 2 or a luxurious version of the Xiaohe Cemetery